Odisha Theatre Actor Daitari Panda Apologises For Comparing CM With Lord Jagannath

Puri: Odia theatre actor Daitari Panda on Wednesday apologised in Jagannath temple in Puri for comparing chief minister Naveen Patnaik with the Lord.

Daitari, known for playing the villain role in Odia ‘Jatra’ (theatre), first went to the police station at Singhadwar (Lions gate) in front of the temple. Accompanied by some of his supporters, he went inside the temple and offered puja before sibling deities.

Coming out of the temple, Daitari told the media that he had come to beg apology from Lord Jagannath for drawing a parallel between Him and the chief minister.

“I realised the mistake after comparing the chief minister with Lord Jagannath. I prayed to Jagannath to forgive me for my mistake. He (Lord) is an embodiment of compassion and I hope he will listen to my prayer,” he said.

The actor further said, “I told those things out of emotion without realising its significance. After some people pointed out my mistake, I accepted it and came here to seek apology from the Lord.”

Daiatari had triggered a controversy after issuing the statement and was heavily trolled in social media. People from different sections of the society expressed their resentment stating that he had hurt their religious sentiments.